Vivantes Cendres, Innommées
Giacometti, Alberto. Leiris, Michel
Paris. Jean Hugues. 1961
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A beautiful copy, as issued, of Giacometti's collaboration with his friend Michel Leiris.
From the edition limited to 100 numbered copies on vélin de Rives, with this one of 90 numbered in Arabic numerals, signed in pencil by Giacometti and Leiris and numbered and initalled by the publisher Jean Hugues.
The critic, ethnographer and Surrealist poet Michel Leiris (1901 - 1990) wrote the first critical text regarding the then unknown Giacometti in 'Documents' in 1929. The two remained friends throughout the turbulent years of Surrealism and war until Giacometti's death in 1966. 'Vivantes Cendres, Innommées', in which Giacometti illustrates Leiris' verse, is the only illustrated book on which the two friends collaborated.
'It was said that Giacometti was never completely at ease with the medium of intaglio printmaking, but one would never know that from the confidence and artistry displayed in these thirteen etchings. Giacometti's genius lay in his ability to reduce his subject to the lines of artistic necessity, leaving nothing in excess. Like twisted wire filling a void, his line is thin yet strong, calligraphic yet descriptive.' (Logan Collection).
[Lust 108 - 120; Logan 225].
From the edition limited to 100 numbered copies on vélin de Rives, with this one of 90 numbered in Arabic numerals, signed in pencil by Giacometti and Leiris and numbered and initalled by the publisher Jean Hugues.
The critic, ethnographer and Surrealist poet Michel Leiris (1901 - 1990) wrote the first critical text regarding the then unknown Giacometti in 'Documents' in 1929. The two remained friends throughout the turbulent years of Surrealism and war until Giacometti's death in 1966. 'Vivantes Cendres, Innommées', in which Giacometti illustrates Leiris' verse, is the only illustrated book on which the two friends collaborated.
'It was said that Giacometti was never completely at ease with the medium of intaglio printmaking, but one would never know that from the confidence and artistry displayed in these thirteen etchings. Giacometti's genius lay in his ability to reduce his subject to the lines of artistic necessity, leaving nothing in excess. Like twisted wire filling a void, his line is thin yet strong, calligraphic yet descriptive.' (Logan Collection).
[Lust 108 - 120; Logan 225].
[18 bifolia; pp. 58, (ii), (i)]. Small folio. (330 x 254 mm). Half-title, original etched frontis piece portrait of Leiris by Giacometti, printed title and Leiris' verse illustrated with 12 original etchings by Giacometti, final leaf with justification; sheet size: 325 x 250 mm. Loose as issued in original publisher's printed wrappers with titles to front cover in black, patterned cloth-covered chemise with title to spine in black and matching slipcase.
#46983
